Kittens in the yard, missiles in the sky

6 a.m., Gush Etzion. The constant sound of faraway planes disturbs my plans to sleep in a bit. Turn on the news, my gut says. Roll over, my brain implores. The Jewish mother in me gets the best of the situation and since then the news has been on nonstop. Updates include live messaging from the IDF spokesman: Stay near safe rooms, don’t gather in the Tel Aviv area. Rethink your day.

I check in with all the kids — no response, but what was I expecting at this early hour? Issued offers to pick them up at various locations, to gather in my chicks and keep them as safe as possible.  I’m not the biggest homemaker but I go down to the kitchen, to put up pasta for potential munching in the safe room (no judging:) and get up a batch of cookies. At least the house will seem comforting!

And now? We wait. Nothing new here. Keep the news on live (or don’t), adjust plans for the day and make sure the kittens in the yard are fed (didn’t we say, no judging:).

(courtesy)

We may have dodged a bullet, with reports of a planned Hezbollah onslaught earlier this morning – with a reported 6000 missiles/ drones readied; thwarted by our air force’s pre-emptive attack. This back and forth is feasible but it is not what the majority of Israel seems to want.

Now is our chance to take decisive action and put an end to the threat on our lives. The north is empty — a stark contrast to the over-crowded masses usually found enjoying the flowing rivers and beautiful green of Israel’s northern region. School is set to start next week, but the kids aren’t even near their homes.

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in Israel’s south and north, for over ten months — 10 months! Imagine what that does to your home, to be abandoned and left uninhabited, unable to check in, pick something up, test the plumbing.. and those are the homes that were not damaged in almost 11 months of missile attacks.

So how can I complain about being awakened by heightened fears, brought on by the constant hum of war planes overhead? We can handle this.

Credit: Yissachar Ruas

With family members in and out of IDF reserve duty, vacation plans shifted to stay close to home, and plans are up in the air — none of us feel this is over. And maybe it shouldn’t be, until it is. Israel has the capability to defeat our enemies on our borders, north and south, and to stand strong against further internal or external threats — so why not?

Would you sit tight under missile attack in Ohio, or California or Pennsylvania? This obscene situation threatens our lives and our future. It’s time to act decisively, and we are willing to play our parts. Israeli leadership: Do not falter. Your people are behind you and we expect decisive action, to win this war now. United States: Your job is to stand with Israel unconditionally, right now.

We are at war. It is no fun. Our sweet, young boys and girls, husbands and fathers, are putting their lives on the line to fight for our people. We have come together in ways that were almost unimaginable, as a nation and as individuals caring for one another. We pray for better days, and for God’s protection. But right now we must act decisively. Enough is enough.

Credit: Yissachar Ruas